Early voting for San Antonio quality-of-life improvements runs April 30-May 8

(April 26, 2012) -- On Saturday, May 12, the citizens of the City of San Antonio will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed 2012-2017 $596 million bond program for important infrastructure improvements that will affect the UTSA Downtown Campus. Early voting runs Monday, April 30 through Tuesday, May 8.

There would not be a property tax rate increase to fund the proposed 2012-2017 bond program. The city's current property tax rate is projected to be sufficient to fund the debt service payments for the program.

Five propositions are included in the $596 million proposed bond program aimed to improve the quality of life in San Antonio:

Proposition 1 -- streets, bridges and sidewalks improvements

Proposition 2 -- drainage and flood control improvements

Proposition 3 -- parks, recreation and open space improvements

Proposition 4 -- library, museum and cultural arts improvements

Proposition 5 -- public safety facility improvements

Two projects in proposition 1 relate to improvements for the UTSA Downtown Campus. These two projects will help connect the UTSA Downtown Campus to the rest of downtown San Antonio. They will provide streetscape work, lighting, trees and pedestrian walkways improving the safety for pedestrians around the perimeter of the UTSA Downtown Campus.

One of the projects, the César Chávez Corridor, represents $1.4 million in improved pedestrian connectivity on César Chávez Boulevard between Frio Street to Santa Rosa Street. A second project, Commerce Corridor, represents $1.5 million in improved pedestrian connectivity on Commerce Street between Frio Street and Santa Rosa Street. Both projects will improve pedestrian connectivity from the UTSA Downtown campus to the rest of the downtown community.

In 2007, the City of San Antonio's bond initiative helped fund the UTSA Park West athletics complex with $5.5 million. Park West, benefiting city and county youths, will be developed into baseball, softball, track, soccer, tennis and various practice fields. The Park West April 12 groundbreaking celebration is a result of the 2007 bond proposition 3 line item. The 2007 bond was completed on time and $47 million under budget.

For a full list of improvements, visit the City of San Antonio website. For more information, contact Roland Martinez at 210-207-1011.

Did You Know?

UTSA researcher is a star behind the cloud

A revolution in cloud computing is underway, and Ravi Sandhu believes it will be much bigger than the PC and Internet revolutions that have already changed the way we live. Sandhu, director of the UTSA Institute for Cyber Security, says UTSA is taking a leadership role in tackling three fundamental cloud technology problems: how to build and operate the cloud, how to use it profitably for diverse applications and how to keep it secure.

Sandhu, the Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Cyber Security in the College of Sciences, and Ram Krishnan, assistant professor of electrical engineering in the UTSA College of Engineering, are funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to improve cloud security.

Did you know? Sandhu, a world-renowned cybersecurity expert, holds 30 patents, has authored more than 250 papers and been cited more than 30,000 times.

This documentary, presented by the San Antonio Film Festival, documents the experience of re-entry after incarceration. The film features Michael Gilbert, associate professor in the department of criminal justice and director of the Office of Community and Restorative Justice program at UTSA.
Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle

Discover resources and strategies for teaching Tejano history and culture and get a special educator's tour of the new long-term exhibit, Los Tejanos.
Institute of Texan Cultures, 801 E. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd.

This annual symposium is an opportunity to discuss Texas higher education issues and trends with Texas higher education scholars, state and local government officials, students, and campus and local community members.
Downtown Campus

Join President Ricardo Romo, The Spirit of San Antonio Marching Band, students, faculty and staff to light the monument at the Main Campus entrance at the stroke of midnight.
John Peace Boulevard Entrance, Main Campus

The UTSA Alumni Association hosts this annual gala honoring the Alumna of the Year, Alumnus of the Year and the Alumnus of the Year Lifetime Achievement award winners.
Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa, 9800 Hyatt Resort Dr.

Meet a Roadrunner

After graduation, Queretaro native founded a music label recognized by SXSW

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.